Bilbao Peg Back Espanyol For Share Of The Points

The return of La Liga after the winter break would have been much anticipated by both Athletic Bilbao and Espanyol, who would both admit that their form in the first half of the campaign had been far for satisfactory.

Espanyol were looking for a change in fortune after a desperate 2008, and arrived in San Mames in the relegation positions and desperate for three points, wtih Coro continuing to deputise up front for the injured Raul Tamudo.

Bilbao meanwhile were hoping to build on their excellent home form that had dragged them out of the leagues bottom place and into the comparative safety of 13th position.

For two teams in the lower echelons of the Primera Division, this was a fast, open encounter with numerous chances at either end, particularly in a breathless first half.

Bilbao as expected were in possession for most of the opening exchanges, and showed why they have won their last three home matches. Prolific forward Fernando Llorente squandered a decent chance, while Javi Martinez crashed the ball against the woodwork as Bilbao really should have been ahead early on.

But after surviving those scares, Espanyol begin to find their feet in the match, and began creating chances themselves. Indeed it was the Periquitos who took the lead ten minutes from half-time. Luis Garcia swung in a dangerous delivery to the near post, onto the head of Moises Hurtado who flicked the ball in off the underside of the bar with his head.

That goal had given Mane’s men confidence and Iraizoz had to look sharp to thwart Luis Garcia on two separate occasions, doing particularly well to save with his legs at close range. Espanyol at this stage were probably good value for their lead, Chaparro’s Bilbao were surprisingly out of sorts on their own patch.

Second Half

Opportunities in the second half were at a premium as Espanyol looked to hold on to what they had. Substitute Torquero struck straight at Kameni from six yards out when it looked easier to find the net, but that opening aside Bilbao struggled to make any headway against to defence that had only managed one clean sheet on the road all season.

As time ticked past a crucial victory moved closer onto the radar of the away side, but you sensed they may have made things difficult for themselves with their defensive attitude in the second period. And ultimately they were made to pay.

With just ten minutes to go, pinball ensued in the Espanyol area following a corner, and the ball broke to Iraola, who produced a supreme piece of skill to scissor-kick the ball past the despairing Kameni and into the corner of the net.

Bilbao went for the winner after that, but for all their pressing they couldnt create another clear-cut chance, and Espanyol headed home with what they will believe to be a well-earned point, despite holding the lead for a large spell of the match.

Goals:
Athletic Bilbao:
Iraola (80')
Espanyol:
Moises (36')

Teams:
Bilbao: Iraizoz, Iraola, Balenziaga, Ocio, Amorebieta, Javi Martinez, Orbaiz (Gurpegui 79'), Susaeta, Ion Velez (Torquero 63’), Yeste (Exteberria 55’) Llorente

Espanyol: Kameni, Chica, Sergio Sánchez, Jarque, Pareja, Angel, Moisés Hurtado, Nené (Roman 83'), Coro (Callejon 68’), Luis Garcia Rufete

Paul Macdonald